AUBURN, Alabama -- The dark horse in the race to replace Tre Mason's carries in Auburn's backfield is a back who already has a role, a specialist looking to prove he can handle a heavier load.

Corey Grant is more than just a bolt of lightning.

Already entrenched in the "speed back" role in Auburn's offense, Grant is one of three backs fighting for a foothold in the tailback race this spring, and the senior believes he can prove he's capable of more than just handling the jet sweeps and attacking the edges of a defense.

"That’s one thing I do want to do, establish myself, because you know it’s a question if I can run between the tackles," Grant said. "I want to get that established throughout spring and going into the fall."

Grant's predecessor, former Auburn burner and current Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Onterio McCalebb, tried to make the same transition as a senior. Built slightly at less than 170 pounds, McCalebb didn't have the power to break tackles or create space in heavy traffic.

But Grant is 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, and he's already proven himself to be a much tougher runner than McCalebb. Finally given a role as a junior, Grant rarely ran out of bounds without initial contact, and the Opelika native was also placed in a power formation, often lining up as the tailback in Auburn's inverted wishbone formation.

A workout warrior who has established himself as one of the Tigers' best in the weight room, Grant carries less weight than either Cameron Artis-Payne or Peyton Barber, but he's a powerful player.

"I think he’s definitely stronger and tougher than anybody gives him credit for," left guard Alex Kozan said. "Pound for pound I’d say he’s probably the strongest guy on our team. I don’t think anybody really realizes that, but Corey’s a freak athlete. A lot of those speed guys, they’re not really tough, but Corey’s one of the toughest."

One run in Grant's breakout season highlighted his capabilities.

Taking a speed sweep from Nick Marshall early in the first quarter against Georgia, Grant saw a hole just outside the tackle, planted his foot in the ground and burst through the hole.

By then, Grant's incredible speed -- he might be Auburn's fastest player -- was a known commodity. What came next was a little more surprising.

On the fly into the secondary, Grant lowered his shoulder and ran over Georgia strong safety Corey Moore, powering his way into the end zone on his feet.

In other words, the kind of move a back like Mason had to make all the time, and a play McCalebb never could have made in his days in Gus Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense.

Malzahn knew Grant had a little bit of bruiser in his genes.

"He’s very physical," Malzahn said. "He’s one of our stronger guys in the weight room, and he’s a veteran guy too. He’ll definitely be in the mix."

Of course, Grant's success in the speed role -- Auburn designs a specific package of plays, including the jet sweep, to take advantage of Grant's speed -- means that he's in a bit of a different position race than Artis-Payne or Barber.

Auburn running back Corey Grant (20) talks to the media Tuesday, March 25, 2014, after spring football practice at the Auburn Athletic Complex in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Grant averaged 9.8 yards per carry, racked up 647 yards and scored six touchdowns last year on just 66 carries, establishing himself in a clear, defined role. Early in camp, the Tigers are still installing their base concepts, meaning that Grant's normal package of plays hasn't been practiced yet.

But if Grant doesn't win the battle to be Auburn's lead tailback, he'll still be able to contribute out of the role he played last season, unlike Artis-Payne or Barber, a pair of traditional backs who fit best at tailback.

"It is a little different," Grant said. "I do have that role. But it kind of helps out, because I can run between tackles and use that on the edge also. It goes both ways."